Congratulations Pauline O’Reilly on winning the LTA Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Tennis Sussex Awards, held at the American Express Community Stadium this Sunday.

The award is a recognition of many years service to Queens Park Tennis Club. See the full text for her nomination below.

Pauline was joined by several QPTC members at the awards ceremony at the Amex conference centre, including Terry Nevin:

“Pauline is the heart of QPTC. We have her to thank for so many American Tournaments throughout the years. She is a fountain of knowledge assessing player standard, which was honed over the many years she looked after membership. I love her cross court shot which is impossible to return and her body language after playing one of these winning shots. It puts a swagger in her step and a big grin on her face. She is quite an inspiration. She plays in all weathers and has improved like a good wine as she gets older. Never too old to play tennis.”

Mark Cull adds: “Pauline is a popular and much-loved member of Queens Park Tennis Club. Pauline has generously contributed so much of her time volunteering in numerous ways to make QPTC such a vibrant community tennis club.”

Pauline was also nominated in the Volunteer Of The Year category.

Full text of Pauline’s LTA nomination:

“Pauline O’Reilly has been volunteering at Queens Park Tennis Club, Brighton, for three decades. She first joined the club in 1991. She has been an enthusiastic participant in all playing aspect of the club, including club sessions and Parks League matches. Although now in her 80s, she is renown for her skiddy serves and deep sense of competitiveness. She organises events and socials, often featuring her speciality strawberry and cream scones. She has served as club membership secretary and team captain, managing our 5th & 6th teams in the Parks League. When we switched to online court bookings, she quickly mastered ClubSpark. At every major club event, she is our master of ceremonies and chief hostess. But most of all, Pauline is appreciated for the tennis tournaments she runs throughout the year. She is a dedicated, organised and prolific ‘TD’, the Queen of the 4 court, 16 player doubles: Mixed, Mens, Ladies, American, irrespective of standards…Pauline has hosted several hundred of them at Queens Park Tennis Club. She shows no sign of slowing down, and is planning a future tournament at all times. Every participant will receive a warm welcome, clear instructions, a well-managed tournament, with prizes, tea and cakes afterwards. Pauline has always been a volunteer, and is beloved by generations of tennis players at Queens Park Tennis Club.”

Tennis Sussex is responsible for the administration and promotion of tennis throughout East and West Sussex. Find out more here.